Memo discusses issues facing Texas athletic department

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University of Texas athletic director Steve Patterson, right, and former school president Bill Powers listen as Mack Brown, announces that he is stepping down as head football coach in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.

Longhorns' Athletic Director Steve Patterson and the athletic department have been under fire since a report published in June by HornsDigest's Chip Brown revealed that Patterson had alienated donors and fans with a lack of communication and unexpected changes for season ticket holders. The pressure Patterson has been facing increased after a report by the Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday revealed that he is in trouble with school President Gregory Fenves. There have already been two meetings between the athletic director and president with a third tentatively scheduled for Friday, according to the Statesman report.

The memo released Wednesday by Horns247 discusses the various athletic department issues including football ticket prices, athletic facilities, the Longhorn band and a potential football game in Mexico City.

Football ticket prices have increased by an average of six percent. According to the memo, prices around Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium saw a significantly higher price increase for the 2015 season. However, other areas saw decreases.

The memo states that Texas Football represents nearly 70 percent of the department's budget. Additionally, the document reports that "more than 92 percent of the approximately 57,000 public season tickets sold for 2014 are committed for the 2015 season."

The funds collected from ticket sales will "be used to help offset increased scholarship costs now that we may pay 'full cost of attendance' for our student-athletes."

Parking changes have also created tension between season ticket holders and Patterson. Parking has previously been included with season tickets, however, the athletic department will charge between $100-195 for parking in 2015.

But the memo states that the changes will help cover expenses caused by using "UT Parking and Transportation Services and the State for the use of garages and parking lots."

The document also states that the athletic department needs to raise $15-17 million for a new tennis facility which will be located near UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

The Longhorns are also sending a pep band, rather than the full band, to away games at Notre Dame, Iowa State and West Virginia in order to "make available enough tickets for loyal fans. Tickets for the band come out of the fan allotment we receive for away games."

The full band will be at Texas' games against TCU and Oklahoma.

Patterson has previously said he would like to play a football game in Mexico City but there is no definite plan.